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When my husband was deployed, I explained to our then 2 1/2 year old that daddy had an important job to do and that he needed to stay there for awhile until his job was done. We then made a paper chain and took one chain off each day. Luckily, I had to actually take about 10 chains off because he came home 10 days earlier than expected. You can also get them a daddy doll to help comfort them. My son took his everywhere that way daddy can still be in all the pictures that he would have been (birthday parties, vacation, etc.) Also, get them involved in sending care packages. Good Luck!

Aw your poor baby. I would say first "Daddy loves you SOOOOOO much and he missed you everday. He is away because he has a big job to do because he wants to help us and other families." You could do a craft together that includes a picture of him and she couldkiss him everynight. :) HTH.

How? You just tell them. My DH was in the Air Force ...career officer....he was away twice for a year and often for weeks at a time and I just told them. They knew they had me and I made the time as normal as possible. It isn't easy but it is not THATbad. Kids are very adaptable if you allow them to be.

Find some books at the library. Ask the librarian for some help. If they don't go then to your local book store for some of these books. When you have a positive attitude your children will bleed off from that. Stay strong for them. GL